Manna is described in the Bible as the food that God miraculously provided for the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. The word “manna” comes from the Hebrew word “man” meaning “What is it?”. When the Israelites first saw the strange substance on the ground, they asked “What is it?” (Exodus 16:15).
The first reference to manna is in Exodus 16, where God promises to rain bread down from heaven for the Israelites after they complain about lack of food in the wilderness. Each morning when the dew lifted, there were fine flakes on the desert floor that looked like frost. The Bible describes manna as white like coriander seed and tasting like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31). The Israelites were instructed to gather only enough manna for each day, an omer (about 2 liters) per person. If they tried to keep any until the next day, it would spoil and breed worms, except on the sixth day when they were commanded to gather enough for two days so they could rest on the Sabbath.
Exodus 16:35 notes that the Israelites ate manna for 40 years until they reached the border of Canaan. God cut off the supply of manna once they had conquered the Promised Land and could eat the produce of the land. While in the wilderness, manna was the only food the Israelites ate. It sustained them and provided nourishment for their bodies. God faithfully provided manna every morning, both weekday and Sabbath, for the entire 40-year journey.
Manna is described as having the appearance of bdellium resin and tasting sweet like wafers made with honey (Numbers 11:7-8). The Israelites ground it or pounded it into cakes before eating it. They could bake it or boil it as well (Numbers 11:8). Raw manna tasted like wafers and honey, while cooked manna tasted like olive oil according to Exodus 16:31. The manna provided sustenance and energy for the people to continue their journey to the Promised Land.
A jar of manna was placed inside the ark of the covenant as a memorial portion for future generations according to Exodus 16:32-34. When the ark was placed in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle, the jar of manna was a reminder of God’s provision. Hebrews 9:4 confirms that the gold jar of manna was kept inside the ark of the covenant.
In the New Testament, Jesus refers to manna when he declares himself to be the bread of life that came down from heaven. In John 6:30-35, Jesus contrasts the temporary manna that fed the Israelites in the wilderness with himself as the true heavenly bread of eternal life. Just as manna sustained physical life for a time, Jesus sustains eternal spiritual life forever.
The provision of manna in the wilderness is a key event in the Exodus story and in the Israelite’s journey to the Promised Land. God miraculously provided for their physical needs with manna each day. His faithful daily provision nurtured them even in the barren wilderness. For Christians, manna represents God’s faithful and gracious provision according to His promise and points to Jesus Christ as the true bread from heaven.
Here are some key facts about manna in summary:
- First appeared after the Israelites complained about lack of food in the wilderness (Exodus 16:2-3)
- God promised to rain bread down from heaven each day (Exodus 16:4)
- Appeared each morning on the ground like a fine frost when the dew lifted (Exodus 16:13-14)
- Manna was white like coriander seed, thin flakes that lay on the ground (Exodus 16:14, 31)
- Tasted like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31)
- Israelites were instructed to gather daily manna each morning (Exodus 16:16-21)
- They were to gather two days worth for the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-30)
- If they kept any until the next day it would spoil and breed worms, except the Sabbath portion (Exodus 16:19-20)
- The Israelites ate manna for 40 years until they reached the border of Canaan (Exodus 16:35)
- Manna ceased when they had eaten the food of the promised land (Joshua 5:12)
- A pot of manna was stored in the ark of the covenant (Exodus 16:33-34, Hebrews 9:4)
- Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life from heaven (John 6:30-35)
The first time manna is mentioned in Scripture is Exodus 16. The Israelites have just journeyed into the Wilderness of Sin between Elim and Mount Sinai. They are complaining to Moses and Aaron because there is no food to eat in this desolate place (Exodus 16:2-3). God hears their grumbling and tells Moses that he will rain down bread from heaven for them. God declares that the people should go out each day and gather enough manna for that day, testing whether they will live according to God’s instructions or not (Exodus 16:4). Moses and Aaron relay God’s words to the Israelites (Exodus 16:6-8).
The next morning, as Aaron speaks to the Israelites, they look out and see the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud. God tells Moses again that he has heard their complaints and will provide meat and bread for them (Exodus 16:9-12). That evening vast numbers of quail cover the camp, and the next morning there is a flake-like substance on the ground that the people do not recognize (Exodus 16:13-15). Moses instructs them that this substance is the bread that the Lord has provided for them to eat, called manna. They are to gather just enough for each one to eat that day, about one omer (2 liters) per person (Exodus 16:16-18). Of course, some people do not listen to Moses and gather much more than needed, but it begins to rot and spoil. Also, when they try to leave some of it until morning it breeds worms and becomes foul (Exodus 16:19-20).
The exception is the sixth day. On the sixth day, Moses instructs the people to gather twice as much manna so they will have food for the Sabbath day and will not need to work by gathering on God’s day of rest (Exodus 16:22-26). When some of the people go out to gather on the seventh day, there is no manna on the ground (Exodus 16:27). The Lord reiterates that the people must consume or dispose of any manna from the previous day because new manna will appear each morning for six days, but not on the seventh (Exodus 16:28-30). The people called the bread substance manna. It resembled white coriander seed, tasted like wafers and honey, and could be baked, boiled, or consumed raw (Exodus 16:31). Moses instructs Aaron to put one omer of manna in a jar as a memorial and keep it for future generations to see. This manna was placed before the LORD inside the ark of the covenant (Exodus 16:32-34). The Israelites ate manna for the next 40 years in the wilderness until they came to the border of Canaan and were able to eat the produce of the land (Exodus 16:35).
Another description of manna is found in Numbers 11. The Israelites have departed Mount Sinai and are complaining about the manna, remembering the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic they ate in Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6). Moses is also discouraged with the complaints and asks the Lord not to burden him with all these people alone. The Lord tells Moses to gather 70 elders to share the burden of leading the people. The Lord also declares he will provide meat for the people for a whole month until they are sick of it. Moses expresses doubt that enough flocks and herds could be slaughtered to feed 600,000 men plus women and children. But the Lord answers that his power is not limited (Numbers 11:10-23). As promised, a wind brings vast quantities of quail that cover the camp in piles about 3 feet deep. The people gather the quail for two days, but while they are eating the meat the Lord strikes them with a severe plague because of their gluttony (Numbers 11:31-34).
After this event, the foreign rabble among the Israelites have a strong craving for other food. The Israelites also start weeping again about not having meat and remembering the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic back in Egypt. But now their complaint is just about the manna which they say they are tired of eating. They describe manna as looking like coriander seed, being white, and tasting like wafers made with honey (Numbers 11:7-8).
As the Israelites continue their journey to Canaan, God provides manna faithfully each morning for 40 years in the wilderness until they reach the border of the Promised Land (Exodus 16:35). Once they have crossed the Jordan River, the manna ceases on the day after the Passover when they have eaten the produce of the land of Canaan. The Israelites no longer have manna, but they eat the fruit of Canaan that year (Joshua 5:10-12).
During the 40 years of wilderness wanderings, God provided manna from heaven as sustenance for the Israelites. Despite their frequent complaining and lack of trust in God’s provision, He continued supplying manna daily. Even though the people grew tired of this food, the manna adequately nourished them for the long journey to Canaan. God demonstrated His faithfulness and goodness by providing for their physical needs in the barren wilderness.
Beyond meeting basic nutritional requirements, the gift of manna taught the Israelites to trust and depend on God daily. Gathering just enough for each day reinforced the importance of Sabbath rest and focusing on God rather than working continuously. Manna taught principles of obedience and faith when the people gathered, prepared, and ate according to God’s instructions. Trying to hoard manna resulted in spoilage, driving home the lesson of relying on God’s provision for each new day.
While the Israelites too often seemed oblivious to these spiritual lessons, manna served as a physical reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. The jar of manna preserved inside the ark of the covenant provided an ongoing memorial for future generations. It represented God miraculously keeping His promises to a people prone to doubt, fear, and complaining. This key wilderness event demonstrated that God can supply all needs, even under difficult circumstances.
In speaking to the Jews during His ministry, Jesus referenced the manna God gave their ancestors in the wilderness (John 6:31). But Jesus contrasted the temporary physical bread God provided in the past to the eternal spiritual bread of life that He offers. While the manna sustained earthly life for a season, Jesus is the bread of life from heaven giving eternal spiritual nourishment and satisfaction to all who partake of Him in faith (John 6:32-35). Those who eat the bread of life will never hunger or thirst spiritually (John 6:35). Just as the Israelites had to gather manna daily in the wilderness to survive physically, so believers must regularly partake of Christ through faith to be spiritually nourished and satisfied.
The story of manna teaches us key lessons that are still relevant today. As followers of Christ, we can have confidence that God will supply our daily needs. He promises to provide for us even in difficult circumstances when resources seem scarce. Partaking of Christ by faith nourishes us spiritually and satisfies the deepest hunger within. Depending on God’s provision day by day keeps us close to Him rather than becoming self-reliant. God faithfully supplied manna for 40 years, and He continues providing for us if we trust in Him.
Though thousands of years have passed, the account of manna still resonates. It represents God’s gracious care and provision for His people in all times. As modern readers, we can reflect on how God sustained the Israelites to strengthen our own trust in His faithful promises. Manna is a reminder that God can provide miraculously when human means fall short. It points to the true heavenly bread, Jesus Christ, as the only source to nourish our souls eternally. As the Israelites asked “What is it?” we too stand amazed at God’s provision – both physical and spiritual – for those who put their faith in Him.
